You see it happen in almost every hockey game, yet many fans get confused when the whistle blows for icing. That sudden stop can leave players and viewers scratching their heads, wondering what just happened.
Surprisingly, icing is not just a random rule. It exists to keep the game fair, prevent dangerous play, and maintain fast-paced action on the ice. Even casual players often overlook why it matters during intense moments.
This guide will break down what icing is, the types you might see, and the history behind the rule. Let’s dive into the details.
What is Icing in Hockey?
In hockey, icing happens when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line past the opposing goal line without it being touched.
When icing is called, play stops, and a faceoff occurs in the defensive zone of the team that committed it, giving the other team an advantage.
Exceptions include goals scored, goalie actions, shorthanded teams, or situations where the puck could have been played. Strategically, teams use icing to relieve pressure or manage momentum during key moments.
Why is Icing a Rule in Hockey?
Have you ever wondered why play suddenly stops when the puck races untouched across the rink? That’s icing.
The rule was added in 1937 to prevent teams from endlessly clearing the puck just to waste time. Without it, games slowed down and lost excitement.
A classic example: before the rule, defenders could repeatedly dump the puck, making offense nearly impossible.
Today, icing ensures fast, fair, and skillful play—further refined with hybrid icing to protect players.
Types of Icing in Hockey
There are three types of icing in hockey—touch, no-touch, and hybrid. Each version changes how and when play is stopped.
Touch icing requires an opposing skater, not the goalie, to reach the puck first. If the icing team touches it, the call is waived.
No-touch icing, or automatic icing, stops play as soon as the puck crosses the goal line. The PWHL uses this rule.
Hybrid icing, used in the NHL, ends the race at the faceoff dots, reducing collisions while keeping the play competitive.
Is Icing Considered a Penalty?
Icing is an infraction in ice hockey, not a penalty. It occurs when a team shoots the puck from behind the center line past the opponent’s goal line without it being touched.
Exceptions apply for shorthanded teams, allowing play to continue. This rule shifts ice position, giving the opposing team a tactical advantage.
Explanation of Common Rules
Common rules in hockey set the framework for fair play, like offsides or icing.
These rules are not penalties but result in face-offs or stoppages, giving the opposing team a strategic advantage. Understanding them helps players plan moves, maintain control, and keep the game flowing smoothly.
Closing hand on puck
Closing your hand on the puck is often confused with icing, but they are separate infractions. Most players are not allowed to catch or hold the puck with their hands, and doing so immediately stops play.
If a player fails to release the puck, it can result in a two-minute minor penalty. Unlike icing, which involves a long-distance shot across the ice, hand closure focuses solely on illegal handling.
Faceoffs
Faceoffs are a fundamental part of hockey, used to restart play after stoppages. The puck is dropped between two opposing players, who attempt to gain control using their sticks while staying within the designated circle. Winning a faceoff allows a team to maintain possession and set up offensive or defensive strategies.
Delay Of Game
The following actions can lead to a two-minute minor penalty for delay of game:
- Intentionally sending the puck out of play from the defensive or neutral zone
- Purposely moving the goal from its standard position
- Not having the correct number of players on the ice after being instructed by an official or for an improper line change
Playing the puck with a high-stick
When a player contacts the puck with a stick raised above shoulder height, play shall be stopped and a faceoff shall ensue. A goal scored by a puck that made contact with a stick above the height of the goal crossbar shall be disallowed.
Icing the Puck
Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line and it crosses the opponent’s goal line untouched. When this happens, play is stopped, and a face-off takes place in the offending team’s defensive zone.
Exceptions include situations where the puck is touched by the opposing goalie, enters the net directly, or the team is shorthanded.
Offsides
A player is considered offside when they enter the attacking zone before the puck crosses the opponent’s blueline. The rule is based solely on the position of the player’s skates; the stick’s location does not determine offside. If both skates cross the blueline prior to the puck, the player is offside. If at least one skate remains on or behind the blueline when the puck enters, the player is onside.
Overtime
Any regular-season game that remains tied after the standard three periods will proceed to a five-minute sudden-death overtime. If no team scores during this period, the game will be decided by a shootout. In playoff games, overtime periods are extended to 20 minutes, and play continues with sudden-death rules until a goal is scored, with no shootouts used.
Penalties
Penalties in hockey are imposed when a player breaks the rules, resulting in a temporary disadvantage for their team. They are categorized as minor, major, misconduct, or match penalties, each with specific durations and conditions depending on the severity of the infraction.
Minor penalties typically last two minutes for actions like tripping or hooking, while major penalties extend to five minutes for dangerous plays. Misconduct and match penalties focus on unsportsmanlike conduct or deliberate attempts to injure, sometimes leading to ejection from the game.
Penalty Shots
A penalty shot is granted when a player is illegally tripped or hooked while advancing alone toward the goal or when a defender intentionally interferes with a clear scoring attempt.
Power Plays
A power play occurs when a team has a numerical advantage on the ice because an opponent is serving a penalty. This situation allows the advantaged team increased scoring opportunities while the penalized team must focus on defensive play.
Shootouts
Any regular-season match that remains tied after overtime will proceed to a shootout. A shootout consists of a set of penalty shots, with each team taking three turns in an alternating sequence. If the score is still tied after the initial three attempts, teams continue taking shots one by one until one side fails to equal the other’s attempt. The team that prevails in the shootout is credited with one goal.
Historical Context of Icing
The rule of icing in ice hockey was introduced in the 1930s to prevent teams from merely sending the puck down the ice to relieve pressure. Prior to its implementation, defensive players frequently cleared the puck repeatedly, which slowed the pace of the game and limited offensive opportunities.
By establishing icing, the game encouraged more skillful puck control and strategic play. Over the decades, the rule has evolved, with the 1990s introduction of “no-touch” icing improving player safety while maintaining competitive balance.
When Did Icing Become a Rule in the NHL?
Icing was officially adopted by the NHL in the 1937–38 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does icing work in hockey?
Icing occurs when a player sends the puck from behind the center red line across the opponent’s goal line without scoring. The play is halted, and a faceoff is held in the defensive zone of the team that committed the infraction.
Is icing a penalty?
Icing is classified as a rules infraction in hockey, but it is not treated as a penalty that results in time served in the penalty box. Unlike penalties that force a team to play shorthanded, icing simply leads to a stoppage of play and a faceoff in the defending zone.
